Paul Casey fired two eagles and four birdies at the PGA Championship to boost his quest for the world No.3 spot.

Three years after he won £1million on the Wentworth course in the World Match Play, Casey moved from two behind to two in front with a second-round 67 - including a 163-yard nine-iron that dived into the hole for a two at the tricky 13th.

But he ended up with only 13 usable clubs after bending his four-iron when he struck a tree on the 17th.

"I was worried that the club might snap and injure somebody in the crowd," he said. "It's an old shaft and it might be difficult to get it replaced - and I wanted to hit it at the last.

"I would have taken a twoshot lead at the start of the day, but there were still a few too many mistakes, which was a bit frustrating. I used to struggle to figure out a way round here and stood on some tees pretty scared, but the changes gave me more options and I've built over the years a liking for the course."

First prize this time is just under £670,000 and that would take him well clear in the circuit's new Race To Dubai.

But it is the possibility of a third win this year and a leap from seventh to third in the rankings - behind only Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson - that sends him into the weekend licking his lips.

Not to be outdone, Wild Thing John Daly chipped in three times on his way to a one-under-par 71 in the second round.

And the colourful American, who is thriving on a new lease of golf life on the European Tour, was thrilled at his firsttime hat-trick.

"I can honestly say I don't think I've chipped in three times in one full year before, much less one day,'' said Daly after finishing on level-par 144 - eight off the pace. Daly holed out from off the green to save par at the 13th before splashing his ball straight in from a bunker for a birdie three at the 15th.

The 1991 US PGA champion and 1995 Open winner then chipped in again for an eaglethree at the long 17th.

"It was just one of those rounds when, if I hit a bad shot it turned out really bad and I just recovered really well,'' said Daly.

"I've worked harder on my chipping and putting than anything else in my game. We are occasionally going to miss shots, we are going to miss greens and it's nice when you can get the ball up and down.''

Daly, banned from his home circuit in November after he was accused of being found drunk outside a bar, is playing the fourth event in a run of five tournaments in Europe.

He is excited about the response he is getting from the Wentworth galleries. "Yesterday it was phenomenal and today the people got up early to follow me,'' he said.